In some cases the Australian Customs & Border Protection might want to inspect your goods. These are random checks. They are just looking for prohibited or restricted products. If you’re importing a full container load (FCL), occasionally upon arrival into the country your container could be pulled aside and placed on X-ray Hold for inspection. […]

Where the goods originate can determine the amount of duty that is payable on your goods. Australia has trade agreements with certain countries. This trade agreement means that goods originating in New Zealand, Singapore, Canada, United States, Thailand and the Forum Islands (Fiji, Federated State of Micronesia, Marshall Island, Nauru, Papa New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu and West Samoa) are all duty free. […]

Think of the tariff as a tax and is required to calculate how much customs duty you pay. Note you only need to pay customs duty if the value of you import shipment is over $1000.00. This is applied to help to protect any existing Australian industry from overseas competition. Tariffs are applied when there is an existing industry for the product that you’re importing. If there’s no industry in Australia for the product that you’re importing then there will usually be no tariff applied. […]

As quoted by the Australian Taxation Office – ‘the deferred GST (DGST) scheme allows importers to defer payment of GST on all taxable importations into Australia. Importers need to apply to the tax office for approval to defer GST payments on the imported goods.’ You must have an ABN number and be registered for GST to be able to be part of the deferred GST scheme. […]

In Australia, if the value of your shipment is over AU$1000, GST is payable on most imported products, with few exceptions. GST must be paid to customs before your goods are released to you. The only exception to this is if you have a deferred GST payment set up with the ATO. The GST is calculated as 10% of the ‘Value of Taxable Importation’ (VoTI). This is the sum of: […]

If the value of your import shipment is over $1000.00 then you will need to pay duty and GST. Some people may choose to split their shipment up so the total value of each package you import is under AU$1000.00. Note: if customs pick up that you (the consignee) have imported several shipments from the same consignor (the person who is sending the goods e.g. supplier) coming through at the same time they have the right to combine them all and class as one shipment and you will be charged duty and GST if the total of all the shipments is over AU$1000. […]

We do not recommend doing the customs clearance process yourself. It is our recommendation to use a customs broker to do the customs clearance process on your behalf. If you’re using a Freight Forwarder, then you won’t need a separate customs broker. […]

Import Declaration forms need to be filled out each time goods are imported into Australia. When completed, this form contains all the information that customs requires for clearing your goods. Your commercial invoice, packing list and packing declaration needs to accompany this form. If you’re using a Freight Forwarder, they’ll complete this form on your behalf. […]

You don’t need an importing licence to import into Australia and New Zealand however some products may require a permit. You should do your research before importing any products. In Australia, Customs clearance involves paying a customs duty/tariff and GST (Goods and Services Tax). All imported goods over AU$1000 are subject to customs duty and GST and you will need to te a customs declaration report. If you use a Freight Forwarder they will do this on your behalf. […]